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OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OSM Director Joe Pizarchik Visits West Virginia
on Fact Finding and Listening Tour
January 22, 2010
The final day of OSMRE Director Joe Pizarchik’s West Virginia listening tour. At the request of several citizens groups representing several states, Director Pizarchik met them at a local hotel conference room to hear their concerns first hand. Then, with no prior knowledge of where he was going, the director traveled by van to meet with people who live in the coalfields and are directly affected by mountaintop mining. Here are some of the most memorable parts of that day.
Select a photo to enlarge.
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Director Pizarchik meets with several citizens groups. |
The director listens to Rick Handshoe from Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. (Photo: Holmes, OSM) |
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After the initial meeting, Director Pizarchik rode with the group to Ripley, WV to meet with Leon Miller, (pictured here) who lives near an active mountaintop mine site. |
Director Pizarchik listening to Mr. Miller’s story of the last ten years, which involved several court hearings, citizen complaints and problems with a coal company. |
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Director Pizarchik listening to Mr. Miller’s wife (not visible) speaking about how the coal company’s actions caused a change in their lives. |
Mr. Miller (center) talks about a valley fill and sediment containment pond adjacent to his property. At left is OSM Appalachian Regional Director Tom Shope, with Director Joe Pizarchik at right. |
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The fill site from Mr. Miller’s viewpoint. |
The valley fill and impoundment near the Miller property. |
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The outlet stream from the sediment pond. |
The outlet stream path, which runs adjacent to a small camping area on the Miller property. |
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